Free Gifts

Up to this point of my life, I've never found free gifts to be especially attractive.

Just not long ago, I went to MidValley to buy my friend his birthday present. After much consideration (and discussion with friends sharing this present), I picked a DVD off the shelf and went to the counter to pay for it.

The DVD itself was rather good. I can't deny that I myself would like something like that for my birthday.

I paid for the DVD, and was surprised (pleasantly) when the two kind cashiers threw in a box of freebie into the cute Doraemon bag, saying that they were having 'promotion'. I was stunned, and could say nothing else except "thank you, thank you!"

Apparently the Doraemon bag was part of the promotion - it was listed as "Reusable bag RM0.00" in the receipt.

One common sense is not to check out the free gift in front of them, so I grabbed the bag and walked out of the shop. Once out of their sight, I ripped the bag open and took out this.

Oh. Ah haha. A toy.

An Ultraman toy. Which makes sounds. Made in China. To play with it, you press a button located right in between Ultraman's buttocks.

And then his eyes and his 'life indicator' will blink, accompanied by low-frequency sounds of explosions and shootings and such.

Oooooohhh damn.

What am I supposed to do with it? I should have turned down the 'gift'! What's more, the stuff I bought was smaller than the Ultraman, and they were put inside a Doraemon bag. It's like the DVD was the free gift instead!

Something hilarious about it is, of course, the usual top-notch English instructions printed on the back of the box.

Upon reaching home, I discovered yet another surprise. A small clockwork Doraemon was bundled with the bag.

Well, at least this one is cuter.

My friend Yin Jen came over some days later. I wished him happy birthday and gave him the Doraemon bag, along with everything that was inside.

Hope you like the Ultraman! If you're wondering how old this Yin Jen is, he's just turned 20.

PS: Happy birthday to the March trio - Jen, Sean, and Stan!